Motors Cash for Clunkers How to destroy an engine (Car lovers look away)

500K? That's an insane amount of miles. And that Volvo didn't look too old.

 

Im not saying that it was on 500K, but it could have had some seriously high mileage.

I have seen 2 year old cars clock up 200K easily, and there not taxes! They looked perfect outside, with slight signs of wear inside, engine starting to lose a little power but thats to be expected.

Or my volvo, 15 years old only 145K on the clock. Thats low mileage for its age! lol! When it reaches the grand age of 20 and its still going i will replace it, its yet to fail an MOT, other than little things like replace a bulb, tyre or more serious was rear brake drums. But there all servicable items that are expected.

 

Nothing to do with being expensive to run and maintain then

FWIW, I've got a bit of a soft spot for Saabs and Volvos but, due to money and insurance factors I'm stuck with driving a Renault

I don't normally use the r-word, but seeing what appears to be a perfectly functional vehicle decommissioned in that way is just plain retarded.

 

Yup - mate of mine has a BMW 5-series tourer with just over 250k (miles, not km!) on the clock - still runs almost good as new and is an absolute dream to drive, despite it being an automatic (try as I might, I just don't like driving cars with auto gearboxes - feels weird!). The reason it's still going after all those miles is simple - preventative maintainance when required and regular servicing. What annoyed me more, however, was that his previous car, also a 5-series, was written off after a 10mph collision in Leeds city centre which resulted in a slightly dented wing. Now *that* was just plain f'king stupid (IMO)

Unfortunately, my Clio isn't quite old enough to qualify for the scrappage scheme but then again, I reckon it's good for at least another couple of years barring anything nasty happening.

 

Such a shame! every car on that lot is miles better than mine.

 

Shitty that the Volvo had to go, she put up a long but very painful fight. All that just to get a few more MPG, not to mention the program can be used to buy very inefficient SUVs that just happen to get a few more miles per gallon than the old car.
On the other hand, seeing that Olds POS go was actually very pleasing. There's a reason the brand was killed off long ago.
This was sort of like seeing the Evo that Jeremy Clarkson drove in an episode of Top Gear this past series that belonged to a drug dealer and was sentenced to destruction - it was hard to see it turned into swiss cheese and burned. But at least that was for a good reason.

and besides, high mileage cars have a certain charm to them even if they break down a lot

 

I could NEVER give my truck such a fate.. Its a white 2003 Dodge ram 1500 quad cab with a 4.7ltr v8 and manual trany. on the highway I get 16-22 mpg *depending on headwind * city mpg is 12-15, Towing the horse trailer at 60mph, 13mpg.

Regardless of its MPG its my baby, and I will keep it for many more years to come.. I'll retire her when she dies!

*I also have a 2008 Honda civic that gets 43mpg*

Cash for clunkers is another great example of wasteful government spending........ good job Dems!!!!*sarcasm*

if were only crap cars, I would feel a lot better about the program..